21-day Namibia and Botswana Desert and Delta

Summary

21-day Namibia and Botswana Desert and Delta

From: NZD4,875* per person sharing

This is a camping adventure visiting the highlights of Namibia and Botswana. Starting in Livingstone, Zambia you can visit the mighty Victoria Falls before entering Namibia, and enjoying the wildlife of Etosha National Park, the scenery of Damaraland, and the dunes of the Namib Desert. You will take a bush walk with the San Bushman, and head deep into the Okavango Delta finishing off with a boat cruise in Chobe National Park.

DEPARTS: LIVINGSTONE – ZAMBIA on Sunday at 14:00pm
ENDS: LIVINGSTONE – ZAMBIA on Saturday at ±12:00noon

Highlights
* Victoria Falls – A natural wonder of the world
* Caprivi – game drives & boat cruise
* Etosha NP – game viewing from camp & on drives
* Brandberg – rock paintings
* Swakopmund – dune boarding & sea kayaking
* Namib Desert – walk Sossusvlei dunes
* Kalahari – walk with San Bushman
* Okavango Delta – mokoro excursion and bush walks
* Chobe NP – sunset boat cruise on Chobe River

A journey through the lush green Okavango Delta and the beautiful desolation of the Namib Desert is an exploration of a lifetime across Southern Africa. Exciting wildlife in Etosha NP, walking the red sand dunes of Sossusvlei and adventure through the Okavango Delta by mokoro.

NB21 Namibia & Botswana Desert & Delta is the full tour. Also offered as an accommodated safari, see page 14.
NB15 Namibia & Caprivi, covers the Zambezi Region and Namibia, ending in Windhoek with access to int’l flights.

Overnight: 15 nights on safari we stay at designated campsites, in or bordering national parks and towns. Formal campsites have hot and cold showers, laundry facilities & shops. In Windhoek we stay in pre-erected dome tents beds with shared ablutions. 2 nights “camping wild” without fences in the Okavango. On these nights the crew will erect a bucket shower (with hot water off the fire) and a pit latrine (with seat!). 2 nights in Swakopmund and 1 night in Kasane in a lodge with en suite twin bedrooms.

Meals: 20 breakfasts, 17 lunches & 12 dinners will be provided by the Sunway crew, prepared at the vehicle & eaten around the campfire or in a boma. For certain meals the group will sample local fare at restaurants (own expense).

Transport: We use safari trucks with 12 seats for this tour. Potholes, corrugated gravel roads and livestock on the roads can make travel slow. There are some long drives, so sit back and enjoy the scenery! For the transfers into the Okavango Delta we use open 4WD vehicles with local guides.

Limited participation: An essential part of your safari is participation. From putting up your tent to packing the truck in the morning – it’s all part of your adventure. Your tour leaders will do all the meal preparation, but we do ask for your help (on rotation) with the washing up. There are some long travel days which means early morning starts so we all need to get involved to make the day run efficiently.

Highlights

Maun
Windhoek
Brandberg
Chobe River Front
Divundu
Ghanzi

Kwando River
Namib
Nata
Rundu
Spitzkoppe
Livingstone, Zambia

Swakopmund
Etosha National Park
Botswana
Okavango Delta
Namibia

Tour Summary

From: NZD4,875* per person sharing*All prices shown are for low season, per person, on a twin share basisDuration: 21 daysDeparts from: Livingstone, ZambiaEnds in: Livingstone, ZambiaDestinations: Botswana, NamibiaExperiences: Scheduled Departures, Adventure CampingGroup Size: Scheduled departures. Minimum 4 people. Maximum 12 people.

Map

Full Day by Day Itinerary

Day 1 – 2 : Livingstone, Zambia

[camping Bx1--]
The group will meet in Livingstone, in Zambia, at 14:00. We have 2 days to explore Victoria Falls, a natural wonder of the world, plunging into the Zambezi Gorge. Adventure activities abound, white water rafting on the mighty Zambezi, or a 111m bungi jump (own expense).

Day 1: Breakfast is not included
Day 1: Lunch is an own expense meal
Day 1: Dinner will be an own expense meal at a local restaurant

Day 2: Breakfast provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group
Day 2: Lunch is an own expense meal
Day 2: Dinner will be an own expense meal at a local restaurant

Includes:                    Entrance to see the Victoria Falls
Overnight:                  Campsite – good ablution facilities, hot showers, swimming pool, restaurant & bar
Distance/time:          N/A
Optional Activities:    White water rafting, sunset cruises, scenic flights & many more

Destination: Livingstone, ZambiaAccommodation: Victoria Falls WaterfrontType: Lodge

Day 3 : Kwando River

[camping BLD]
Heading out of Livingstone we cross at Sesheke into the Caprivi, a narrow strip of Namibian land that extends between Angola, Zambia and Botswana. An abundance of large rivers attracts a variety of animals and birds and we have 2 days to explore this remote and beautiful region, including a boat cruise on the Kwando River.

Day 3: Breakfast provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group
Day 3: Lunch provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group
Day 3: Dinner provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group

Includes: Entrance fees & game drives, boat cruise on Kwando River
Overnight: Campsite - good ablution facilities with hot showers, restaurant, bar & swimming pool
Distance/time: 300km, ± 4 hours, excluding stops for sightseeing & lunch

Destination: Kwando RiverAccommodation: Camp KwandoType: Safari Lodge

Day 4 : Divundu

[camping BLD]
Today we drive to Negepi Camp.

Day 4: Breakfast provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group
Day 4: Lunch provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group
Day 4:Dinner provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group

Includes:                               Entrance fees & game drives, boat cruise on Kwando River
Overnight:                            Campsite - good ablution facilities with hot showers, restaurant, bar & swimming pool
Distance/time:       200km, ± 3 hours, excluding stops for sightseeing

Destination: DivunduAccommodation: Ngepi CampType: Lodge

Day 5 : Rundu

[camping BLD]
After a morning enjoying the abundant birdlife that surrounds the camp, the road takes us directly west along the Kavango River. Villages of grass huts and local wooden crafts and carvings are a common sight. We stop for the night at our riverside camp in Rundu and enjoy a spectacular sunset.

Day 5: Breakfast provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group
Day 5: Lunch provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group
Day 5: Dinner provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group

Includes: N/A
Overnight: Campsite - good ablution facilities with hot showers, restaurant, bar & swimming pool
Distance/time: 210kms, ± 3 hours, excluding stops for sightseeing & lunch

Destination: RunduAccommodation: n’Kwazi CampsiteType: Lodge

Day 6 – 7 : Etosha National Park

[camping BLD]
Etosha National Park, “the great white place of dry water”, in the game rich north west corner of Namibia offers a variety of wildlife. We take game drives around the huge dry pan to find the elephants, herds of antelope and lions around the waterholes before we camp at Namutoni, Halali or Okaukuejo with their flood-lit waterholes.

Day 6, 7: Breakfast provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group
Day 6, 7: Lunch provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group
Day 6, 7: Dinner provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group

Includes:                      Entrance fees to Etosha National Park, morning & afternoon game drives
Overnight:                    Campsite - good ablution facilities with hot showers, restaurant, bar, swimming pool & shop
Distance/time: 450kms, ±6 hours excluding stops for sightseeing & lunch
Optional Activities:       Night game drive in National Park game viewing vehicle

Destination: Etosha National ParkAccommodation: Okaukuejo CampsiteType: Campsite

Day 8 : Brandberg

[camping BLD]
Our next stop is the Brandberg where we camp next to the dry Ugab River bed, home to the rare desert elephants. We explore the mountains on foot with our local guides, who lead us through this region adorned with rock art including the “White Lady”.

Day 8: Breakfast provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group
Day 8: Lunch provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group
Day 8: Dinner provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group

Includes: Guided walk to view San rock art
Overnight: Campsite - good ablution facilities with hot showers, bar, swimming pool & telephone
Distance/time: 600kms, ± 7½ hours excluding stops for sightseeing & lunch

Destination: BrandbergAccommodation: Brandberg White Lady CampsiteType: Rest Camp

Day 9 : Spitzkoppe

[camping BLD]
Our journey covers some beautiful desert landscapes as we move south towards the huge granite domes that rise out of the desert at Spitzkoppe. We set up camp at the foot of these massive domes, and take a walk to explore the area. The silence and wide open spaces add to the mystery and we enjoy a magnificent sunset.

Day 9: Breakfast provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group
Day 9: Lunch provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group
Day 9: Dinner provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group

Includes: Entrance to Spitskoppe
Overnight: Campsite – basic ablution facilities.
Distance/time: 170km, ± 2½ hours, excluding stops for sightseeing

Destination: SpitzkoppeAccommodation: Spitzkoppe CampsiteType: Campsite

Day 10 – 11 : Swakopmund

[guest house Bx2 Lx1 -]
We cross flat open plains to the coast where we visit the Cape Cross seal colony. Further south is the coastal town of Swakopmund. Day free to explore the town or try dune boarding or sea kayaking (own expense). We enjoy evening restaurant meals (own expense).

Day 10: Breakfast provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group
Day 10: Lunch provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group
Day 10: Dinner will be an own expense meal at a local restaurant

Day 11: Breakfast provided by guest house
Day 11: Lunch is an own expense meal
Day 11: Dinner will be an own expense meal at a local restaurant

Includes:                      Entrance to Cape Cross seal colony
Overnight:                    Dunedin Star guest house - twin share rooms with en suite facilities. Telephone & restaurant.  WiFi in main building
Distance/time: 250km, ± 3½ hours, excluding stops for sightseeing
Optional Activities:       Sand boarding, Skydiving, Ocean canoe safari, Scenic flights & many more

Destination: SwakopmundAccommodation: Dunedin Star Guest HouseType: Guest House

Day 12 – 13 : Namib

[camping BLD]
The Lunar landscapes surround the town of Swakopmund and we visit these as we leave and head into the Namib Desert with its towering red sand dunes. We will walk to Sossusvlei, explore Sesriem Canyon and watch dramatic sunsets over the world’s highest sand dunes.

Day 12: Breakfast provided by guest house
Day 12: Lunch provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group
Day 12: Dinner provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group

Day 13: Breakfast provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group
Day 13: Lunch provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group
Day 13: Dinner provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group

Includes:                      Entrance fees to Sesriem Canyon and Naukluft National Park
Overnight:                    Campsite - good ablution facilities with hot showers, shop.
Distance/time: 350kms, ± 5 hours excluding stops for sightseeing
Optional Activities:      On arrival at Sossusvlei the guide will walk with the group into Sossusvlei (+/- 3.5km). For those clients who do not want to walk, there are 4WD vehicles that can drive you in. The 4WD, is an own expense (+/- N$85 each way) and is optional.

Destination: NamibAccommodation: Sesriem Campsite

Day 14 : Windhoek

[guest house BL-]
The charm of the city of Windhoek lies in its harmonious blend of African and European cultures and the friendliness of its people. We arrive late in the day and enjoy a restaurant meal (own expense).

Day 14: Breakfast provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group
Day 14: Lunch provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group
Day 14: Dinner will be an own expense meal at a local restaurant

Includes: N/A
Overnight: Klein Windhoek Guest House – twin rooms with en-suite facilities, swimming pool, restaurant & bar. WiFi available
Distance/time: 345km, ± 4½ hours, excluding stops for sightseeing & lunch

Destination: WindhoekAccommodation: Urban CampType: Campsite

Day 15 : Ghanzi

[camping BLD]
Crossing into Botswana we overnight in the heart of the Kalahari. We take a walk with the local San Bushmen to learn fascinating bush skills.

Day 15: Breakfast provided by the guest house
Day 15: Lunch provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group
Day 15: Dinner provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group

Includes: Nature walk with local San bushman and translator
Overnight: Campsite - good ablution facilities with hot showers, swimming in old quarry
Distance/time: 550kms, ± 7½ hours excluding border formalities & stops for sightseeing & lunch

Destination: GhanziAccommodation: Ghanzi Trail BlazersType: Lodge

Day 16 : Maun

[camping Bx1 Lx1]
We camp in Maun for a night in preparation before journeying deep into the Okavango Delta

Day 16: Breakfast provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group
Day 16: Lunch provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group
Day 16: Dinner will be an own expense meal at a local restaurant

Overnight: Maun: Campsite - good ablution facilities with hot showers, swimming pool, restaurant & bar
Distance/time: 300km, ± 4½ hours (Kalahari – Maun)

Destination: MaunAccommodation: Audi CampType: Mobile Safari

Day 17 – 18 : Okavango Delta

[camping Bx2 Lx2 Dx2]
We camp in the Okavango Delta on mekoro (dugouts) - an experience not to be missed. We camp wild on remote islands for 2 nights and enjoy bush walks, swimming and the birdlife in this pristine wilderness area.

Day 17: Breakfast provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group
Day 17: Lunch provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group
Day 17: Dinner provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group

Day 18: Breakfast provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group
Day 18: Lunch provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group
Day 18: Dinner provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group

Includes:                      Entrance to Okavango Delta, morning and afternoon game walks with local guides
Overnight:                 2 nights Okavango Delta: Wild camping – basic camping facilities, with bucket showers. You will need to bring your own towel.
Distance/time: Okavango transfer in 4WD ± 2 hour
Optional Activities:      Scenic flight over the Okavango Delta (+/-USD95-120) pp depending on number of people in each aircraft)

Destination: Okavango DeltaAccommodation: Okavango Delta Camp

Day 19 : Nata

[camping BL-]
Feel the vastness of Africa under a big sky sunset. Depending on the season, the pans can either be a shimmering haze of dust or a vast shallow lake.

Day 19: Breakfast provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group
Day 19: Lunch provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group
Day 19: Dinner will be an own expense meal at a local restaurant

Includes: Entrance fees to Makgadikgadi Pans
Overnight: Campsite - good ablution facilities with hot showers, swimming pool, restaurant & bar.
Distance/time: 320km, ± 4 hours, excluding stops for sightseeing

Destination: NataAccommodation: Nata Lodge CampsiteType: Campsite

Day 20 : Chobe River Front

[chalet BL-]
We turn north through the Chobe Forest Reserve to Kasane and our lodge. Chobe NP is famous for large herds of elephant and buffalo. Our afternoon is spent on an exciting wildlife boat cruise in the Chobe NP.

Day 20: Breakfast provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group
Day 20: Lunch provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group
Day 20: Dinner will be an own expense meal at a local restaurant

Includes: Sunset game viewing boat cruise on the Chobe River
Overnight: Thebe River Safaris – twin chalets with en suite facilities. Swimming pool, bar, restaurant, telephone.
Distance/time: 300kms, ± 4½ hours excluding stops for sightseeing & lunch

Destination: Chobe River FrontAccommodation: Thebe River Lodge and CampsiteType: Lodge